LeBron James reacts to law enforcement killing black male in his hometown of Akron

Daniel Chaitin

July 03, 04:11 PM July 03, 04:15 PM

NBA superstar LeBron James despatched prayers to his hometown of Akron, Ohio, soon after local police produced movie footage on Sunday displaying the lethal law enforcement taking pictures of Jayland Walker.

"I [pray] for my town right now!" the Los Angeles Lakers player tweeted.

The physique cam footage exhibits officers chasing Walker, a 25-calendar year-previous DoorDash driver, soon after he fled a targeted visitors end. Walker was a black male, and his demise prompted a new wave of phone calls for law enforcement accountability and protests. The family members of Walker has demanded accountability and referred to as for any demonstrations to remain tranquil.

JAYLAND WALKER Capturing: AKRON Law enforcement Launch FOOTAGE OF OFFICERS Capturing BLACK Man

Police stated a shot was listened to from the vehicle all through the pursuit. Minutes later, Walker received out of the continue to-shifting vehicle carrying a ski mask and ran. A gun was discovered in the automobile, but Walker was unarmed when he was then shot by pursuing officers after an unsuccessful try to use stun guns, according to the .

The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is investigating, and the eight officers instantly associated in the capturing have been put on administrative leave in the meantime.

James, who is black, has been vocal in the previous following significant-profile police killings of black men and women. In April of previous 12 months, he tweeted and then deleted a put up showing to threaten a police officer who shot and killed a 16-year-outdated girl in Ohio as she tried to stab a different individual.

James afterwards tried to clarify the publish by stating, "I’m so damn tired of observing Black people killed by police. I took the tweet down mainly because its remaining applied to generate extra despise -This isn’t about a single officer it’s about the total method and they constantly use our text to generate much more racism. I am so determined for additional ACCOUNTABILITY."